How to update your Android Operating System

Quite so often, there’s a newer version of an Android operating system available on your Android phone or tablet. Usually these are exciting events since they bring in a lot of new features and functionalities along with improved performance. Normally, your device informs you whenever there is an update available. Whenever an automatic update comes up, you can view a message or an alert indicating that the system upgrade has been made available for your device. But many a times these messages may be delayed or are missed. So if you know that there’s an update available and you wish to get your hands upon it as soon as possible, follow with this simple guide.

Make sure to check the backup option: Usually upgrading your Android operating system is a painless process; however there is a very small probability that your device may get crashed. And in order to protect your device here, ensure that you properly back up your data before updating.

Open the Settings app on your device: The settings app can be easily found in your app drawer or press on the menu button of your device from the Home screen and select settings. Typically Android updates are made available through the devices itself. But there may be a few exceptions, such as downloading the updates for Samsung devices through Samsung Kies from a computer. Updating is done automatically on Kies whenever there is an update available and you have connected your device via USB to a computer.

Click on About Phone tab: Once you are inside Settings, scroll down and tap on About Phone to find out information screen of your device which is usually located towards the bottom of the list.

Check for System Updates: Tap on the System Updates option and check if any updates are available. The availability of updates is dependent on both the device manufacturer as well mobile service provider. There may not be new updates available for all of the devices. If an update is available for your device, the update starts downloading. It could take a while for larger updates, so have your device connected over a Wifi network.

Restart and Install Updates: Once the update has been downloaded, the device should be restarted for installing the software. This would render your device to become inoperable for some minutes during the updating process. Keep your device plugged in during the installation process in order to ensure that the battery does not run out meanwhile. In case your device hangs and cannot be switched on, it needs to be rebooted. This rebooting process erases all your updated data. For rebooting your phone, long press the power key and the volume button.

Sometimes non Android operating system updates may also be issued. For instance, the device’s manufacturer may also send out updates to Android device’s guts. Such an update is called a firmware update and they are specific to each mobile or tablet manufacture. In order for the Android update to work perfectly well on your device, make sure to accept all firmware updates.